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Planning board raises navigability, dock‑height and measurement concerns in code review
Summary
Board members asked staff to consider amending dock rules (section 6.23) to account for neighbors’ access to navigable water, revisit perpendicular measurement requirements and allow higher docks where seawall elevation changes are planned.
At the end of the Dec. 15 meeting the St. Pete Beach Planning Board discussed code provisions governing docks and boat lifts (land development code section 6.23). A board member who lives on an affected street said the ordinance’s administrative approval process could allow a neighboring property to extend a dock in a way that would reduce others’ access to water at low tide.
The speaker asked the city to consider requiring NOAA depth charts or other navigability information for variances, to better account for the impact on adjacent properties. Staff said navigability is commonly handled by county water‑navigation authorities and noted that the city’s definition includes "tidal waters" and other categories, which can make many nearshore areas fall under the navigable‑water definition.
Board members also discussed a height limit in the code that prevents docks from sitting more than 12 inches above seawall or natural grade, a rule some said should be revisited to allow dock heights that anticipate future seawall elevation increases. Staff agreed to research options and to consider updates that would allow higher docks in appropriate circumstances and to correct perpendicular measurement language so docks can be sited to avoid encroaching on neighbors’ access.
Next steps: Staff will review the code language, check county and federal navigability definitions, and propose potential amendments or guidance that address NOAA depth chart requirements, measurement methodology (perpendicular vs. lot line) and dock‑height limits. Any change will be evaluated against state law (including considerations tied to SB 180) before returning to the board.
